Two children in Scotland have died from the Strep A infection. Figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that two children under the age of 10 died from the infection between October and December.
08.12.2022 - 20:05 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Fifteen children under the age of 15 have now died in the UK from invasive Strep A illness, figures show. New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 13 children under 15 have died in England since September.
Two other deaths of children have been recorded in Belfast and Wales, taking the UK total to 15. Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
Illnesses caused by Strep A include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
The UKHSA has said there is no current evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing. Since September, the UKHSA said there have been 652 reports of invasive Strep disease, higher than at the same points over the last five years.
So far this season, there have been 85 cases in children aged one to four, compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole of the last high season in 2017/2018. There have also been 60 cases in children aged five to nine.
Since September, 60 deaths have been reported across all age groups in England. Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, said: "Scarlet fever and 'strep throat' are common childhood illnesses that can be treated easily with antibiotics.
"Please visit NHS.uk, contact 111 online or your GP surgery if your child has symptoms of this infection so they can be assessed for treatment. Very rarely, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause more serious illness called invasive Group A
Two children in Scotland have died from the Strep A infection. Figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that two children under the age of 10 died from the infection between October and December.
Terry Hall, the longtime voice of legendary ska group The Specials has died after what the band termed a brief illness. He was 63.
Kim Simmonds, leader of the last post-Beatles wave of British blues bands with Savoy Brown, has died at the age of 75, the band announced.
Kim Simmonds, leader of the last post-Beatles wave of British blues bands with Savoy Brown, has died at the age of 75, the band announced.
Gabrielle Beaumont, who may have directed more primetime hours of television than any other women in history, died peacefully on October 8th at her home in Spain, her brother Christopher Toyne confirmed to Deadline.
Jonnie Irwin has told of his plans to provide for his three young children after he's gone, following his terminal cancer diagnosis. In a heartbreaking interview on BBC's Morning Live, TV personality revealed today that he is getting his financial ducks in a row so he can secure the futures of his sons three year-old Rex and two year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
British film industry veteran Sir Sydney Samuelson has died. He was 97.
Prince William might want nothing to do with Prince Harry, but their father King Charles III is showing a bit more respect.
A Lochmaben mum took her three-year-old son to the doctor thinking he had an ear infection that turned out to be Strep A.
Health chiefs have warned of antibiotic shortages across Scotland because of soaring Strep A infections nationwide.
Strep A has been confirmed at a number of Scottish schools yesterday. The NHS issued warnings after clusters were found at schools across Ayrshire, as Humza Yousaf said the number of infections in Scotland had increased.
A devastated father has said that he took his young daughter to hospital A&E on three separate occasions prior to her being admitted to Intensive Care where she later died from Strep A. Five-year old Stella-Lily McCorkindale became the ninth UK child to pass away from the bacterial infection outbreak after initially feeling unwell on November 26.
A dad who thought he had 'man flu' then devastatingly lost all of his limbs and part of his face to Strep A. Alex Lewis, 42, says he is 'lucky to be here' after fighting the illness and is begging parents to be vigilant of symptoms in children after recent deaths.
A little five-year-old girl has died of Strep A after becoming seriously ill last week.
Eight British children are now believed to have died after contracting Strep A, with school staff announcing the "devastating" news of the latest fatality on Sunday.